If you are planning a trip to Canada, you are on the right track. Canada will mesmerize you with its soulful culture, verdant natural beauty, and its vibrant landscapes. Tourists are known to flock to Canada for a dose of exuberance and adventure. But, in order to thoroughly enjoy your vacation, there are some things that you absolutely need to get out of the way – one of them being currency exchange. This is a must-have on your to-do list before you fly out to Canada. Not sure of which currency to carry with you to Canada? We are here to help you. Let’s see which is the best currency that you can use in Canada.
Which currency is the best one to use in Canada?
Here are 3 different options that you can choose from in order to answer the above question:
1. Carry USD to Canada
While you may carry US dollars to Canada, however, if you are planning to solely rely on the US dollar to meet all your expenses in Canada, you might want to think again. Though this currency is widely accepted at retailers, hotels, and border crossings, smaller rural areas prefer the local currency and do not accept USD. Hence, you need to use the Canadian official currency for your local cab fare, laundromats and other things.
2: Carry Canadian dollars to Canada
Canadians on the whole agree that they prefer to be paid in their local currency. The local currency is appreciated by the locals. In this case, you will need to convert INR into the Canadian dollar before you embark on your journey. You can convert your INR to CAD at best forex rates with BookMyForex. Sometimes carrying too much cash is unsafe and inconvenient. In that case, you can also load CAD on the forex card offered by BookMyForex. You will not only get the best and the most competitive exchange rates but also same-day doorstep delivery of your forex card or foreign currency.
3: Carry Indian Rupees & convert them in Canada
Another option is to carry your own native currency i.e the INR or Indian Rupees to Canada and exchange the currency there for Canadian dollars. However, be warned that this is the least recommended option. Although there are several offline exchange stores in Canada where you can exchange your local currency, these stores have high fixed costs owing to rents and salaries of employees which invariably get transferred to high exchange rates that you end up paying. Therefore, it is advisable to book your foreign currency well in advance from a trusted platform such as BookMyForex to obviate the inconvenience of high exchange rates.
Which currency should one take to Canada?
Now that you have gone through the three options above, it will not be very difficult for you to choose the best option. It is evident that the Canadian dollar is the best currency to carry as it is the favored currency by the locals. The USD is not accepted everywhere in Canada and hence is limited in its usage. Indian Rupees being exchanged in Canada will carry hefty exchange rates to the tune of 5%- 7%. Hence the best option is to exchange Indian currency for Canadian dollars beforehand. Utilize best and competitive rates offered by BookMyForex and save anywhere between 2.5% – 6.5% over local banks, airport kiosks and other shady money changers in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best currency to take to Canada?
When you travel to Canada, it is best to pay in the local currency in Canadian dollars or CAD. It is widely accepted at hotels, retailers and local commutes.
Which currency is mostly used in Canada?
The currency commonly used in Canada is CAD or Canadian Dollars. This currency is easily available in denominations of 5, 10, 50, 20 and 100 dollar paper notes. Coins in Canada circulate as cents.
Should I exchange money before going to Canada?
It is highly advisable to exchange currency prior to your trip. This can easily be done from a reputed online forex marketplace such as BookMyForex.com. A good tip is to carry money in a variety of forms such as foreign currency and a prepaid forex card. Both these products are available at BookMyForex at highly competitive rates.
FAQs
Carry USD to Canada
Though this currency is widely accepted at retailers, hotels, and border crossings, smaller rural areas prefer the local currency and do not accept USD. Hence, you need to use the Canadian official currency for your local cab fare, laundromats and other things.
What is the best currency to take to Canada? ›
Carry USD to Canada
Though this currency is widely accepted at retailers, hotels, and border crossings, smaller rural areas prefer the local currency and do not accept USD. Hence, you need to use the Canadian official currency for your local cab fare, laundromats and other things.
Should I bring USD or CAD to Canada? ›
When you travel to Canada, it is best to pay in local currency (CAD) instead of USD.
What is the best way to pay for things in Canada? ›
Debit and credit cards are Canada's most common ways to pay for things. Major networks like Visa, American Express, and MasterCard are generally accepted.
Is it OK to tip in USD in Canada? ›
Tip in the local currency
Whenever you tip during your trip to Canada it is important to use the local currency, that is - Canadian dollars. Otherwise you'll leave your service providers with cash they can't use without paying high fees on currency exchange.
What is $100 US worth in Canada? ›
US Dollars to Canadian Dollars conversion rates
| USD | CAD |
|---|
| 50 USD | 68.37 CAD |
| 100 USD | 136.75 CAD |
| 500 USD | 683.79 CAD |
| 1,000 USD | 1,367.59 CAD |
7 more rowsUse the credit card instead of cash wherever possible. Credit card issuers typically charge fees for international transactions and you may get the best exchange rate and fees lower than those associated with exchanging cash.
Will my cell phone work in Canada? ›
Canada primarily uses GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) networks, so your phone should be GSM-compatible - which shouldn't be a problem for most modern smartphones today.
Can I use my US credit card in Canada? ›
For sure! You can use MasterCard and Visa practically anywhere around the globe. Just keep in mind that if you are using your Canadian credit card in the US, you're usually looking at a foreign transaction fee of about 2.5% on your total purchase.
Will my US debit card work in Canada? ›
For example, a United States-issued Bank of America debit card will work at Canadian retailers, but the user does incur a three-percent foreign transaction fee for each purchase. Note that debit cards differ from credit cards in that they draw real-time on money in your bank account.
Tipping in Canada taxi rides is common but variable. The tipping amount depends on how much you're willing to give. Most people give round-up tips, so if the trip costs $8, you may pay $10 and tip the $2 to the driver.
Do you tip housekeeping in Canada? ›
Tip the chambermaid or housekeeper, CA$2-5 per day or a lump sum at the end of your stay. Forgetting to properly tip the maid is one of the biggest faux pas made by tourists. Be sure to check whether a tip is included in the cost of room service, as it is not necessary to tip on top of this.
Is it customary to tip in Canada restaurants? ›
In Canada, tipping is customary and expected in many service industries, including restaurants, bars, cafes, and various services. The service industry workers often rely on tips to supplement their income, as wages are sometimes lower because there is an expectation of tips.
What is the best way to carry money to Canada? ›
There's no single best way to take money to Canada. Carrying one or more cards, including a travel prepaid or debit card, as well as some cash is a good idea for most people. That way you have a back up plan if one payment method isn't accepted for some reason.
Where is the best place to exchange US dollars for Canadian dollars? ›
Local banks and credit unions usually offer the best rates. Major banks, such as Chase or Bank of America, often offer the added benefit of having ATMs overseas. Online peer-to-peer foreign currency exchanges. Online bureaus or currency converters, such as Travelex, provide convenient foreign exchange services.
How much cash should I bring with me to Canada? ›
There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can bring into or take out of Canada, nor is it illegal to do so. However, any time you cross the border, you must declare any currency or monetary instruments you have in your possession that are valued at CAN$10,000 or more.
